Montreal, 8 November 2018 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed the partial suspension of the accreditation of the Doping Control Laboratory at the Karolinska University Hospital (Stockholm Laboratory) as it relates to the gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) method.

The disciplinary proceeding confirmed a non-conformity with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL) for this specific method and the imposed provisional partial suspension announced on 2 August 2018.

The partial suspension will remain in place for a period of six months from the original notification date of the provisional suspension decision (1 August 2018) or until such time as the Chairman of the WADA Executive Committee decides to reinstate the laboratory’s accreditation on the basis of evidence that the necessary improvements have been implemented for a fully compliant method.

The Stockholm Laboratory’s accreditation had been provisionally suspended in August pending disciplinary proceedings being carried out. The Laboratory has 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport should it so wish.

It is important to note that, during the partial suspension, the Stockholm Laboratory may continue carrying out its regular anti-doping activities, as per the ISL. However, all routine samples that require GC/C/IRMS analysis shall be securely transported with a demonstrable chain of custody to another WADA-accredited laboratory. This is in order to ensure continued high quality sample analysis, which also helps preserve athletes’ confidence in this process and of the wider anti-doping system.

According to the ISL, WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards. This monitoring process is conducted in conjunction with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assessment by independent national accreditation bodies that are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Whenever a laboratory does not meet ISL requirements, WADA may suspend the laboratory’s accreditation.

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